Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Gurnee Economic Development Committee - March 20, 2014

Village of Gurnee
Economic Development Committee Minutes
March 20, 2014

The meeting was held in Conference Room A, Gurnee Village Hall, 325 N. O’Plaine Road and called to order at 5:30 P.M. Due to the fact that Chairman Elbrecht was not in attendance, a motion was made from Ms. Thorstenson and seconded by Mr. Garrity to elect Mr. Sula Chairman Pro-Temps. A voice vote was called – all ayes.

Other Officials Present: Patrick Muetz, Village Administrator; David Ziegler, Community Development Trustee Stephen Park, Ex-Officio

1. Approval of the January 16, 2014 Meeting Minutes
Ms. Thorstenson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Garrity, to approve the January 16, 2014 meeting minutes, as presented.
All voted ‘aye’. Motion carried.

2. Education Item:

a. School District Discussion

i. Dr Joy Swoboda, Superintendent of the Woodland School District made a presentation to the committee. Within her presentation, she covered the operating budget and the debt retirement for the district. She explained the difficulties and the financial impacts surrounding the state formed charter school, in Prairie Crossing. Dr Swoboda also noted that the school did not have any formally adopted policies on tax abatements, but would be open to consideration for meaningful developments/redevelopments in our community.
ii. Dr. Mary Perry-Bates, Superintendent of Warren Township High School District 121, and Carol Rogers, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services and Operations, presented on behalf on the high school. Operating budgets and debt retirement was discussed with significant discussion on the efficiencies of education within the district in comparison to other surrounding high school districts. Discussion of bonds included the retirement of all existing bonds are currently slated for 2028. Like District 50, the high school district does not have a formal policy on property tax abatement, but would evaluate each proposal and be open to the concept.

b. Village of Gurnee Budget – Mr. Ziegler highlighted the 2014/2015 Fiscal Year municipal budget demonstrating a revised focus on improving village infrastructure with a sizeable capital transfer. The Economic Development Coordinator is also included in the budget. The budget will go before the Village Board for approval on April 7, 2014.

3. Old Business:

a. Review of the Proposed Business List for Business Retention Survey – The survey has been finalized and will be distributed to 30 office and industrial users in the community in the next week.

4. New Business:

a. Review of Draft Incentives Policy – In depth review will be continued at the next meeting